Altarpiece of the Kings, Baroque altarpiece in Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral, Mexico

The Altarpiece of the Kings stands in the apse of Mexico City's Metropolitan Cathedral, behind the presbytery. It measures 25 metres high, 13 wide and 7 deep, with three vertical sections framed by tall estípite pilasters. Between them are polychrome sculptures of canonized kings and queens, and on the central axis hang two canvases by Juan Rodríguez Juárez: the Adoration of the Magi and the Assumption of the Virgin.

Jerónimo de Balbás built the altarpiece from 1718 to 1725; gilding by Francisco Martínez began in 1736 and the retablo was inaugurated in 1737. It was commissioned for the apse of the Mexico City cathedral, whose main chapel viceregal custom dedicated to the reigning king. From 1824 to 1925 the remains of independence leaders Miguel Hidalgo, Ignacio Allende and Juan Aldama rested here before moving to the Independence Column.

The altarpiece takes its name from Juan Rodríguez Juárez's painting of the Adoration of the Magi on its central axis. Flanking it stand polychrome sculptures of canonized kings and queens: Margaret of Scotland, Helena, Elizabeth of Hungary, Elizabeth of Portugal, Cunigunde and Edith, with Hermenegild, Edward, Casimir, Louis and Ferdinand. From 1824 to 1925 the remains of independence leaders Miguel Hidalgo, Ignacio Allende and Juan Aldama rested here before moving to the Angel of Independence.

The altarpiece stands in the apse at the back of the cathedral, in the space called Capilla de los Reyes, which has no grille or gate separating it from the rest of the nave. It rises behind the presbytery, so it is seen from the main nave rather than entered as a closed chapel. Look for it at the far end of the central aisle.

From 1824 to 1925 the remains of independence leaders Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, Ignacio Allende and Juan Aldama rested in this chapel, until they were moved to the Column of Independence. The gilding begun in 1736 was the work of the master gilder Francisco Martínez, and the retablo was inaugurated in 1737.